Mohali: The visiting England team suffered a blow when coach Duncan Fletcher revealed on Saturday that his only experienced spinner, Ashley Giles, was a doubtful starter for the first Test against India."Giles bruised his heel while fielding in the previous match and has not fully recovered. He is unlikely to play," Fletcher told reporters. The first Test is scheduled to commence on Monday.The absence of Giles, who claimed 17 wickets on the last tour of Pakistan, left England facing the prospect of choosing between uncapped off spinners Richard Dawson and Martyn Ball.Fletcher, however, felt England's best chance in the series could come in the first Test itself."The wicket should be good for seamers, but I will wait till the morning of the match before coming to any conclusion," he said.

Copyright AFP 2001

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